Review: 29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz

December 10, 2018December 10, 201810 Comments

Title: 29 Dates
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publication Date: December 18, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Jisu's traditional South Korean parents are concerned by what they see as her lack of attention to her schoolwork and her future. Working with Seoul's premiere matchmaker to find the right boyfriend is one step toward ensuring Jisu's success, and going on the recommended dates is Jisu's compromise to please her parents while finding space to figure out her own dreams. But when she flubs a test then skips out on a date to spend time with friends, her fed-up parents shock her by shipping her off to a private school in San Francisco. Where she'll have the opportunity to shine academically—and be set up on more dates!

Navigating her host family, her new city and school, and more dates, Jisu finds comfort in taking the photographs that populate her ever-growing social media account. Soon attention from two very different boys sends Jisu into a tailspin of soul-searching. As her passion for photography lights her on fire, does she even want to find The One? And what if her One isn't parent and matchmaker approved?

Amazon | Book Depository

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review

I was intrigued when I first saw 29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz since I don’t know much about Korean culture, and the story sounded super cute. It tells the story of a girl who goes on dates set up by a matchmaker, and I loved reading about each of her 29 dates. The main character is also enjoyable, and I would say that this is the perfect pick-me-up. Continue reading →

Review: Snow in Love by Melissa de la Cruz

18 Comments

Title: Snow in Love
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: October 30, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors.

From KASIE WEST, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed.

From AIMEE FRIEDMAN, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love.

From MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents.

From NIC STONE, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic.

So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to fall in love...

Amazon | Book Depository

Review

As an avid fan of any book about the holidays, I was thrilled when I heard about Snow in Love by Melissa de la Cruz, and so many other amazing authors. This anthology is comprised of stories from some of my favourite authors, and each story is so cute. My personal favourite had to be Nic Stone’s work. This book is the perfect thing to get you ready for the festive season. Continue reading →

Review: Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

June 7, 2018June 7, 201816 Comments

Title: Leah on the Offbeat (Creekwood #2)
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: April 24, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

Amazon | Book Depository

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review

I have been dying for Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli ever since I finished Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda long ago. This book is everything I had hoped for, and it follows Leah who is navigating senior year and bisexuality. Leah is so likeable, and the friendship in the book is goals. It is safe to say that this story does not disappoint. Continue reading →

Review: From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

May 8, 2018May 8, 201819 Comments

Title: From Twinkle, With Love
Author: Sandhya Menon
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 22, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.

Amazon | Book Depository

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review

I had very high hopes going into From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon, since When Dimple Met Rishi is one of my favourite reads. It is safe to say that I was not disappointed, and I really enjoyed this story all about filmmaking. Twinkle is awkward and relatable, and the letters make for a unique format. Fans of rom-coms will no doubt love Menon’s latest novel. Continue reading →

Review: Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

April 9, 2018April 10, 201814 Comments

Title: Picture Us in the Light
Author: Kelly Loy Gilbert
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: April 10, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Danny Cheng has always known his parents have secrets. But when he discovers a taped-up box in his father's closet filled with old letters and a file on a powerful Silicon Valley family, he realizes there's much more to his family's past than he ever imagined.

Danny has been an artist for as long as he can remember and it seems his path is set, with a scholarship to RISD and his family's blessing to pursue the career he's always dreamed of. Still, contemplating a future without his best friend, Harry Wong, by his side makes Danny feel a panic he can barely put into words. Harry and Danny's lives are deeply intertwined and as they approach the one-year anniversary of a tragedy that shook their friend group to its core, Danny can't stop asking himself if Harry is truly in love with his girlfriend, Regina Chan.

When Danny digs deeper into his parents' past, he uncovers a secret that disturbs the foundations of his family history and the carefully constructed facade his parents have maintained begins to crumble. With everything he loves in danger of being stripped away, Danny must face the ghosts of the past in order to build a future that belongs to him.

Amazon | Book Depository

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert is a beautiful book that tackles many tough issues. There are multiple themes throughout the story that will open your eyes and rip your heart out at the same time. The writing is compelling and beautiful making this one of my favourite reads so far this year. Continue reading →